NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday sought to play down former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot‘s recent criticism of him, saying Gehlot has always shown him affection. Emphasising party unity, Pilot said Congress leaders and workers should work together to strengthen the organisation.“I heard his statement. What I remember is that he said he has for me the same affection and attachment he has for his son Vaibhav Gehlot. We are all soldiers of the Congress party,” Pilot said, as cited by PTI. Pilot made the remarks while speaking to reporters after paying tributes to his father, former Union minister Rajesh Pilot, at his memorial in Dausa on his death anniversary.When asked why he continued to speak of affection and unity despite repeated remarks directed at him, Pilot said the country was facing much larger issues that deserved attention.“The country is facing huge challenges: the future of lakhs of children is affected; the NEET paper leak happened, there have been repeated exam paper leaks; corruption is spreading; farmers’ incomes have declined, while fuel and cooking gas prices continue to rise,” Pilot said. Pilot said people across the country were increasingly coming together against the policies of the BJP-led government and that the INDIA bloc remained committed to intensifying its challenge to the ruling party.“Recently, there was a meeting of the INDIA bloc where everyone resolved to fight the BJP. Our sole objective is to strengthen the Congress under the leadership given by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge,” he said.Criticising the BJP, Pilot said the party had been in power at the Centre for more than a decade but continued to hold previous governments responsible for current issues.“The BJP has completed 12 years. How long will they keep blaming Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh? The public has made up its mind. The opposition will emerge stronger in the coming days,” he added. Pilot also criticised the Rajasthan government over allegations of corruption, the law-and-order situation, and the delay in conducting panchayat and local body elections.Criticising the rejection of Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination for the Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh, Pilot alleging that constitutional institutions were functioning under pressure.“Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination was rejected illegally. This is unprecedented. A candidate whose party has the required strength should not have the nomination rejected without valid grounds,” Pilot said. Pilot said the reasons cited for rejecting the nomination were incorrect and that the Congress would challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.“We will go to the Supreme Court. But the manner in which the Election Commission is being forced to function under pressure is not a healthy sign for democracy,” he alleged.This comes after Gehlot said he remained hurt that Pilot had not publicly acknowledged his role in helping him become a Union minister.Speaking in Jaipur, Gehlot said Pilot was aware of the support extended to him but had chosen not to refer to it publicly, a grievance he said continues to trouble him.Gehlot also said on Sunday that MLAs loyal to him were ready to accept any leader chosen by the party high command except Pilot, citing resentment over Pilot’s 2020 rebellion against the then Congress government. He added that Pilot should “accept the truth” and acknowledge his mistakes.He also referred to the 2022 Congress presidential election, alleging a “big conspiracy” that created a false perception about his preference to remain Rajasthan chief minister instead of becoming Congress president. Questioning the narrative that emerged during the leadership tussle, Gehlot said, “I was going to become Congress President… and now Sonia Gandhi and Congress are making me that Congress President, so should I refuse? Should I refuse?”He further said that developments during the Rajasthan political crisis had unfairly damaged his reputation.